Stretchable wash strap



Jan. 15, 1963 P. c. LA FALCE 3,072,946

STRETCI-IABLE WASH STRAP Filed Feb. 8, 1961 ATTOHEY G.

United States Patent Office 3,072,946 Patented Jan. 15, 1953 3,072,946 STRETCHABLE WASH STRAP Palmeriuo (1. La Falce, 99 17th St., Buffalo, NY. Filed Feb. 8, 1961, Ser. No. 87,868 3 Qlaims. (Cl. 15-222) This invention relates to an improved wash strap.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a wash strap which is stretchable so as to render the same particularly useful for washing the users back, while holding opposite ends of the strap and without requiring a change in location of grasping the strap.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a wash strap which has a facing of suitable material for washing the users body regardless of which side or edge of the strap is held against the users body.

Another object is to provide such a wash strap which when not in use provides a compact article and may thus be conveniently stored or relatively inconspicuously placed.

A further object is to provide such a wash strap which can be readily laundered.

Other objects are to provide such a wash strap which is simple in construction and easy to manufacture, and hence relatively inexpensive.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred emobdiment thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cloth material and elastic strip constituting the two principal components of the inventive wash strap and showing the same arranged flat and superimposed to represent the first stage of manufacture.

FIG. 2 is a similar view thereof but showing the cloth component folded upon itself to represent the second stage of manufacture.

FIG. 3 is a similar view thereof but showing the previously doubled cloth material turned inside out which provides a tube completely encasing the elastic strip to represent the third stage of manufacture, a portion of the cloth covering being broken away to expose hidden structure.

FIG. 4 is a similar view thereof but illustrating the intermediate portion of the cloth tube gathered over the elastic strip to represent the fourth stage of manufacture.

FIG. 5 is a similar view thereof and showing the cloth tube substantially flat and the elastic strip stretched to permit the application of transverse stitching, this view representing the fifth stage of manufacture.

FIG. 6 is a similar view thereof but representing the condition of the partly assembled wash strap shown in FIG. 5 with the elastic strip restored to a substantially unstretched condition.

FIGS. 7-10 are severally fragmentary perspective views of an end portion of the cloth tube which extends beyond the elastic strip therein, and represent sequentially the treatment of such end extension to form the same into a loop.

FIG. 11 is a perspective elevational view of a completely assembled wash strap embodying the present invention and constructed in accordance with the procedures illustrated in the previous figures.

FIG. 12 is a diminutive view, more or less schematic, and depicting the manner of use of the inventive wash strap by a person holding the strap so as to extend across her back.

The construction of a wash strap embodying the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11 and represented generally by the numeral 19, is believed best understood by tracing a preferred mode of manufacturing the same. Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 20 represents an elongated rec-.

tangular piece of suitable cloth material such as terry cloth, arranged in a flat condition. Shown superimposed thereon and adjacent one corner of the cloth piece 20 is an elongated rectangular elastic strip 21. The area of the rectangular elastic strip 21 is considerably less than that of the rectangular cloth piece 20. While this elastic strip 21 may be a rubber sheet or other suitable elastic material, it is preferably a stretchable fabric woven with textile fiber covered rubber threads or strands.

The elastic strip 21 is placed so that one end edge 22 thereof is spaced inwardly a distance 23 from the corresponding and parallel end edge 24 of the cloth piece 20. The elastic strip is secured to the cloth piece adjacent the end edge 22 of the strip in any suitable manner. As shown, this is preferably accomplished by stitching the two elements together, the row of stitching being indicated at 35. Also, one longitudinal edge 25 of the elastic strip 21 is placed relatively closely adjacent the corresponding and parallel longitudinal edge 26 of the cloth piece 26, such spacing being indicated at 28.

As shown in FIG. 1, the elastic strip 21 is in an unstretched condition to provide a relatively large spacing 29 between the other end edge 30 of this strip and the corresponding and parallel end edge 31 of the cloth piece 20. The other longitudinal edge 32 of the elastic strip 30 is located inwardly from the corresponding and parallel longitudinal edge 33 of the cloth piece 20, by a distance 34 which is equal approximately to the width of the elastic strip 21 plus the spacing 28. In other words, the edge 32 of the elastic strip lies approximately along the major centerline of the rectangular cloth piece 20.

Thereafter, the elongated half portion 36 of the cloth piece 29, uncovered by the elastic strip 21, is folded downwardly and reversely upon itself so that the longitudinal edges 26 and 33 of the cloth piece are conterminous, as shown in FIG. 2. The elastic strip 21 is still external of the two plies of cloth that are now formed. When in this condition, these plies are secured together along the edges 26 and 33 in any suitable manner. As shown, this is preferably accomplished by stitching, the row of stitching being indicated at 38. The stitching 38 begins adjacent the end edge 31 of the cloth element, terminating short of the edge 31 by a distance 39 which corresponds dimensionally to the spacing 23. It will be noted that the row of stitching 38 does not secure any portion of the elastic portion 21.

Following this, the tubular cloth article is turned inside out so that the elastic strip 21 is now arranged inside a cloth tube indicated generally at 40 in FIG. 3. This cloth tube now constitutes a covering for the elastic strip 21, not only completely surrounding or encasing the same but extending longitudinally beyond the ends of the elastic strip. The flattened tube 40 has a pair of fiat sides or faces 41 and 42 which oppose the respective fiat sides of the elastic strip 21. It will be noted that the marginal portions along the edges 26 and 33 of the cloth piece form an inverted hem indicated at 43. This hem 43 provides the seam for the cloth tube 40. The elastic strip 21 is now secured to both faces 41,42 of the cloth tube 40 by an additional one or more rows of stitching 44 which secure the two cloth faces and the intermediate elastic strip together.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the intermediate portion of the cloth tube 40 is then gathered over the elastic strip 21 so that the end edge 30 of this elastic strip is arranged closer to the folded edge 31 of the cloth piece, specifically being set inwardly from this edge by the distance 39. With the ed es 30 and 31 so pos tioned relatively to each other, the elastic strip and both faces 41 and 42 of the cloth tube are secured together suitably as by one or more transverse rows of stitching 45 arranged adjacent the edge 30 of the elastic strip.

Following this, the cloth tube 40, with the elastic strip 21 therein and secured at opposite ends to the tube, is now flattened out thereby stretching the elastic strip, as shown'in FIG. 5. With the article so positioned, addi-, tional transverse rows of stitching 46 are applied substantially across the full width of the elastic strip and at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong, preferably uniform, rows of stitching 44 and 45. of achieving the intermediate transverse securements may be employed but the stitching 46 is preferred.

After the intermediate transverse rows of stitching 46 have been applied to secure both faces 41 and 42 to the elastic strip 21, the article may be allowed to assume a normal position as represented in FIG. 6 in which the elastic strip 21 is unstretched or substantially so. It will be noted from a comparison of FIGS. and 6 that in returning to an unstretched condition of the elastic strip 21, the portion of the cloth material intermediate the adjacent parallel rows of stitching 44-46 is gathered or bunched into folds, as represented at 48, so that the intermediate portion of the wash strap covering assumes a corrugated configuration. However, these folds or gathers 48 tend-to flatten out when the strap is elongated in its major direction by stretching the internally arranged elastic strip 21.

Hand hold-means are provided at opposite ends of thewash strap: While such means may be otherwise provided, the extensions indicated at 49at opposite ends of the wash. strapareconveniently used for at least part of such means. As'illustrated; theextension 49 at each end of the strap 'is'formed-into-aloop-50 for the reception ofa ring 51 which ispreferably split or-otherwise suitably constructed so that it may be removed from its loop 50.when the wash strapis laundered.

Formation of one of the loops 50 will now bedescribed. Referring to FIG. 7, the extension 49 is slit along the fold I in the cloth material, as represented at 52. This slit 52 extends from the outer end of theextension 49 back to a point aboutopposite the end edge 22 of the elastic strip 21. Thus, an upper flap.53.and a lower flap 54 are provided.

Referring to FIG. 8, the longitudinal marginal portions 55, 55 of the lower flap 54.are folded .upwardly and inwardly and arranged sothatthe outer end of the flap.

54 is narrower than its .inner end. Any suitable means for. securing themarginal folds55 to the main body of the flap 54 may be employed. As shown, this is preferably. accomplishedby a-row of stitching 56. The .same treatment-is. given to. the upperor other flapv 53. The completed condition of the upper flap .53 thereof :is represented in FIG. 9. r a

Following this, the. fiaps53 and. 54 are twisted so that the flat sides or backsthereof opposeeach other. This is illustrated. in FIG. 10. 'Iherflapsiadjacent their outer ends are then secured together. in any-suitable manner as by stitching the same together, arow of stitching for this.

purpose'being indicatedat 58- in FIG. '10. Thereafter the secured flaps can-=be.untwisted,,resulting in a loop 50 open at .opposite sides orv ends andradapted. to receive.

a.ring 51 passing therethrough.

Referring to .FIG. l1,-it willbe .observedthat the com-- pleted wash strap. is. relatively. shortand comprises an elastic strip completely encased by a covering of cloth materialsecured to,.the..elastic tsrip in such manner that a wrinkled effective washing surfaceis provided on-eachside of the stretchablestrap;

As depicted in FIG. 12, typically the user graspsthe rings 51 and places the strap across, her back at thede-- sired angle, manipulating the ends into the desired position andspaced apart acomfortable distance, within the intermediate the endsecurement provided by the Any other suitable mannermaximum limits permittedby the wash strap when in a fully stretched condition. When so held, the wash strap can be slid back and forth over the body surface by moving the arms and repositioning the strap as desired to cover diiferent areas of the body. It will be seen that the elasticity of the strap maintains the same in full area contact with the body eevn though the effective spacing between the hand hold means is varied to suit the physique and desires of the user.

When the wash strap is to be laundered, the rings 51 may be removed as is preferred so that these rings, which may be made typically of a suitable plastic material or metal, will either not be damaged themselves nor damage the washing machine during the laundering operation.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a wash strap which achieves the various objectives stated. Modifications and changes in the construction of the particular wash strap illustrated and described may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiment shown and described is illustrative and not limitative of the invention, the scope. of which is to be measured by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A wash strap, comprising an elongated elastic strip having opposite sides, a covering of cloth material surrounding said strip and including faces opposing said sides, means securing said faces to said strip substantially across the full width ofsaidstripand at longitudinally spaced intervals-therealong, the cloth material of said covering being gathered betweensuch transverse secure ments when said strip is' substantially'unstretched and tending to flatten out when said strip is stretched, and

hand hold means'at opposite ends of said covering including loops of cloth material as extensions of said covering and rings passing through said loops.

3. Awash-strap,

stitching securingsaid faces to said, strip and severally extending substantially across the fullwidth of said strip and arranged at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong, the cloth material of said covering being gathered between such transverse stitching when saidstrip is substantially unstretched and tending to flatten out when said strip is stretched, the portions of said covering of cloth material beyond said ends of said strip forming loops; and removable rings passing through said loops for hand hold purposes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 22,288 Linder Mar. 16, 1943 2,059,747 Roberts Nov. 3, 1936 2,183,257 Hardie et al Dec. 12, 1939 2,238,967 Brown. Apr. 22, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 855,542 Great Britain Dec. 7, 1960 1,228,894 France Mar. 21, 1960 comprising an elongated elastic strip the cloth material of said comprising an elongated elastic strip, having opposite ends and opp osite'sides, a covering of cloth material encasingsaid strip and extending beyond said ends and including faces opposing said sides, rows of. 

1. A WASH STRAP, COMPRISING AN ELONGATED ELASTIC STRIP HAVING OPPOSITE SIDES, A COVERING OF CLOTH MATERIAL SURROUNDING SAID STRIP AND INCLUDING FACES OPPOSING SAID SIDES, MEANS SECURING SAID FACES TO SAID STRIP SUBSTANTIALLY ACROSS THE FULL WIDTH OF SAID STRIP AND AT LONGITUDINALLY SPACED INTERVALS THEREALONG, THE CLOTH MATERIAL OF SAID COVERING BEING GATHERED BETWEEN SUCH TRANSVERSE SECUREMENTS WHEN SAID STRIP IS SUBSTANTIALLY UNSTRETCHED AND TENDING TO FLATTEN OUT WHEN SAID STRIP IS STRETCHED, AND HAND HOLD MEANS AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID COVERING. 